My Cloud pair came and all I can say is brain fog is real. I ordered a pair 2 sizes smaller than I would wear!! WTH? So disappointed but I can see the cloud base is really nice. I don't think they come in specifically wide sneakers, at least on Amazon. Maybe I will try the website for that but I have the Hokas coming Monday. I ordered a men's Cloud (again I did not order the right size for some reason) but I was hit with a reality check on how swollen my feet are these days. Some of these things just creep up on me. Like an overweight person who just keeps buying bigger clothes to accommodate the girth and then one day has to step on a scale.

This has been a fun project, though. Seems a lot of us are passionate about our footwear! And rightly so. bigecase...You work in the financial district? Are the tales of pressure real? I would think you would really need a great pair of sneakers!

Beachbumgirl, I do have New Balance at home that I wore out. They do run wide, for sure, and accommodate orthotics. I wanted something new but I may end up there.

Darla:If you are troubled with edema in your feet, use of a light compressive sock would be wise as you also contemplate shoe brands and width options.

Compressive knee high socks are also called “anti-embolism socks” or “TED hose” or “airline travel socks.” A light 10-12 mg Hg/mercury pressure would be what you would look for on the package labeling. The compression is not overbearing and similar to that of a cozy pair of Lycra leggings. Anti-embolism socks provide a graded upward compression that prevents venous and lymph fluid from pooling in the feet/lower legs.

In selecting an anti-embolism sock look for a sock that has a wide upper band at the knee. A narrow/skinny upper band at the knee can roll down and act like a constructive rubber band, cutting off circulation. You want a wide upper band that dissipates pressure and also keeps the sock up and in place.

You need not wear the compression socks 24-7. Start by wearing the socks during daytime hours when you are otherwise up and about, say for 4-6 hours. Then remove the socks for 1-2 hours. Repeat.

Veins in the legs actually have tiny one way valves that allow blood and lymph fluid to travel upward in direction only (from the foot to the thigh), where they merge into the large femoral vein and inferior vena cava and back into systemic circulation. These tiny one way valves prevent backflow of be venous blood/flow or gravity effected retention of fluid in the lower leg/feet. The one-way valves can fail for any number of reasons (natural aging process; unresolved high blood pressure; atherosclerosis/plaque buildup). When the valves fail, dependent edema is seen in the lower legs and feet.

New Balance started as an American-based shoe company catered to providing shoes with extra-wide widths as well as extra-deep shoe depths (describes how deep the foot sits in a shoe). New Balance may be a shoe brand that you will want to revisit. Their shoes are not drab nor devoid of style. New Balance embraces colorful styling and attractive designs that parallel popular brands such as Nike and Addidas.

Merrell also offers a wide width option in every one of its shoes. That is, each “regular” shoe in its catalogue is also available in a wide width version. Merrill may be a shoe brand that you will want to revisit.

And if you need still another option . . .

Ecco’s are a British brand of comfortable casual-wear shoes with a style that is distinctly wide and boxy. They often have a fun flair, a bit of piazze. Soft leather upper with Vibram sole.

Another way to gain room in a shoe is to remove the shoe’s inner foam liner. Wear a shoe sans (without) the provided liner.

Keep exploring. It may take a bit of trail and error to find a casual shoe best suited to you. But the effort will be worth it. Happy feet contribute to making a happier me . . . as may be the case for you, as well. Disney has an animated movie “Happy Feet” that features dancing penguins. That can be our mascot motto. “Happy Feet” and happy penguins. KarenPituitary failure, wide-spread endocrine dysfunctionAddison's diseaseMixed connective tissue disorderExtensive intestinal perforation with sepsis, permanent ileostomyAvascular necrosis of both hips and jawReceiving Palliative Care (care and comfort)

Karen, I love your advice and I almost always implement your suggestions. So brilliant!! I did buy Ecco shoes many years ago when I had just delivered my twins and had residual edema from pre-eclampsia (a sign of my future). Happy Feet! YES!! Love you!

I just unpacked the Hoka's and they fit so well! I love them but they are a different feel...I think the heel does feel lower. I do have some sway to my back so maybe that will be a good thing and I do love the cushion. I am testing them out indoors to see how they feel later. Thanks so much bigecase and Karen! I never heard of this brand before. I have not had fun with shoes in a long time and this has been fun.

Oh Brother! After buying and returning multiple pairs of sneakers I have developed a deep love for the Hoka's!! They were expensive but very worth it. Thanks for the guidance, friends! I had never heard of them before. I also got some TED hose and they are helping my legs feel better, too. I love being able to learn from others and you are a great resource, thanks!

bigecase I wore the sneakers with the tags still on for days...I have been fooled before! Commit to the relationship just to be disappointed. Lol. So yesterday I cut the cord and actually even ordered a second pair so I can wear a pair indoors and one outdoors (I maintain a no outside shoes indoors policy). This was a budget buster and I am not working now so...they are that good!

I bought a pair! My first experience on that shopping platform and it was a little nerve-wracking! Selling out so quickly and I like to move a little slower but the deals were really good. The pair I ordered was not the same style but the price was so much less I am hoping it will be great. Thanks again for letting me know!

Nice!! It's fun to have colorful, comfortable feet! I'm glad you did. You'll walk more to justify the purchase,😁 My shipping costs include anything else I buy this weekend. Too bad I only have 2 feet and no job!

Susie...I am not sure which thread your rec was for the Cuddl Duds but THANKS!! It is so cold here today (FL but 29) and I am so miserable I don't know what to do and the package arrived!! I feel like a happy teddy bear. Thank you!!

I had an appt today due to my SI pain. I have been trying to get an MRI since December and this Dr said it is likely degenerative disk disease/stenosis etc. of 3-4, 4-5, and 5-I from the xray and exam. I will post more questions as I have them still stunned at the situation...BUT the Dr and assistant both separately commented on my HOKA's!! I do love the sneakers and glad the orthopods do as well! And I found cuddl dud socks on a discount website. So, some good and bad today for sure. Ugh.

I ordered another pair. They were back in zulily about a week ago. I hate to hear you are going through this. Seems like we all go from one thing to the next. I’m currently home with flu symptoms. Test was negative but that’s how he is treating it.

A problem with finding comfortable shoes is one thing I can relate to...and how!!

The only ones I wear these days (until my daughter's wedding, where it'll have to be sandals) are Hush Puppies Bounce tie-up shoes. Definitely old-lady looking, but the black don't seem quite as much that way.

You'd think if you're not going for fashion it would at least be easier to find something, but we all know that's not true. I had a terrible time getting the right size from Foot Smart, even though I've been wearing the same shoe style for decades. I kept trying to explain to them that what the online site calls "Wide" now actually shows up at my door labelled "Medium" (sigh)...and is indeed a medium. It happened repeatedly. Finally they told me they were no longer available and I found them on the Hush Puppies site. I paid about $100, and alternate between 2 identical pairs.

Ah, the days when we could skip out of the house in whatever pretty little nothing shoe we wanted! Actually, though, I've had to hunt for a good fit since I was about 25 because my feet have always been wide at the toes. Over the years they've gotten more and more sensitive, and now after 2 spine surgeries they just never shut up - cramping, burning, buzzing, and if I poke them wrong as I'm sliding them on with my reacher and shoe horn - - PAIN!

Hi Debbie, nice to meet you! Good to know about the Hush Puppies. I invested in the Hoka sneakers and I just alternate. I love them so much. Apparently the ankle/foot orthopedist is a fan because I got a thumb's up (even though I was seeing the back Dr!). It is always good when we can support each other with real life solutions. I was at the PM place today and I looked at the many, many pain suffering patients they crammed into the waiting room and I thought...What the hell is going on that so many of us are chronic pain sufferers? Were there always so many and the family Dr medicated people? Sometimes I see drug-seeking people but not as much any more. These were people suffering. Sorry, I got off topic. Thanks for the recommendation and congrats on your daughter's impending marriage! How exciting!

Yeah, I'm pretty excited. They don't have a date set yet, but tomorrow we look at dresses. This daughter has fantasized about her wedding since she was 3. She used to make us all take turns acting out the ceremony with her, saying "You be the man!" over and over again ;)

I'm sorry to see you're having SI pain. That's what dominates my life. I've had surgery now on both sides (one L4-5, the other L5-S1) and neither took away all the pain. By any means. Not much fun, is it??

Debbie, that is really exciting about the wedding. My son is planning to propose to his girlfriend in November when they take a big trip they've had planned. It is definitely exciting for me to enjoy life through those moments with our kids. But, probably not as exciting as dress shopping and all! I have three sons so I will be embracing any daughter's in law, lol.

The disc stuff...seriously?? You have had all that done and not ANY better? OK, I am not really shocked just disappointed. For you but for myself, too. I just came from the Nurse Practitioner (where are the Drs hiding?) who disagreed with the MRI results he ordered. I have had a lot of surgery but the only lower back one was a laminectomy about 10 yrs ago which actually was one of the least complicated, most effective surgeries I have had. I had a great neurosurgeon and he did a 4 level ACDF for me last July which has gone well though I still have a lot of muscle spasms (prob from the other back problems). I see him next Wednesday and just want some clarity on where to go from here.

I see from your signature we share many rotten problems. Inflammation, nerve problems, auto-immune disease. They seem to run in a circular pattern of cause and effect. It is nice to know there are others who share these issues and are doing the best they can and that is a big plus for me in connecting here. Thanks so much for the reply and post again about the dress shopping. Don't stand too long!

I wouldn't say I'm not any better at all...at least now I can function again, walk around (a little) and drive. If I couldn't do that, I think I'd lose what little I have left of my mind ;) But the pain is constant and certainly not good.

Wow, we do have a lot of the same issues! You'll have to tell us how the doctor appointment goes on Wednesday. Good luck - I hope this surgeon can shed some light on what's going on with you, and what you can do about it. And I do know what you mean, every problem we have seems to feed off all the others, so the whole is greater (?) than the sum of its parts!

On a happier note, my daughter did find a dress on Saturday. It's really lovely, and she's so happy with it. So I'm happy Thanks for asking!

If one is having trouble finding shoes that are comfortable it's possible that it's because the person needs orthotics or simple arch supports. I take my orthotics out of the shoes I am wearing and put them into the shoes I am trying.

In addition to getting shoes that are the right length and width have the shoe person measure your "last." That's the length from heel to the first big toe joint. If you have short toes you need longer shoes than for where your toes end. I prefer rounded toe shoes for that reason.

I can't just buy the same size even in a different style of the same brand without trying them on.